Premium Essay

Massage Therapy Research Paper

Submitted By
Words 1089
Pages 5
Massage Therapy for Chronic Neck and Back Pain Imagine living a life where pain is the first thing that comes to mind when waking up in the morning. The priority of getting out of bed is maneuvering the body in a way that will not cause more pain than what is already present. Walking to the bathroom just to take medication is excruciating. Disappointment is shown from children and grandchildren who do not understand that playing with them can cause more agony. The bills cannot be paid because of taking a couple days off due to not being able to move from the debilitating discomfort. After a while, feelings of depression and worthlessness combined with the pain are overwhelming. Many people throughout the world suffer from chronic pain that can range from just noticeable to completely debilitating. Chronic pain can be caused by variety of problems such as auto-immune disorders and …show more content…
Massage therapy is one of the well-known interventions in the category of complementary and alternative medicine and can be used with other treatments or alone. Several benefits of massage therapy have been shown to relieve chronic pain. According to E. Ernst (2009), “Massage brings about a range of psychological and physiological changes including improvements in blood and lymph flow, reduction in muscle tension, increase in pain threshold, improvement of mood, reduction of blood pressure, and relaxation of the mind” (p. 333). Ernst (2009) also states that for these reasons, massage therapy is widely used for a variety of issues such as “anxiety and stress, back pain, and other musculoskeletal conditions” (p. 333). Rose Adams, Barb White, and Cynthia Beckett (2010) state that the benefits of massage therapy significantly outweigh the side effects, and for this reason, doctors are more likely to prescribe therapeutic massage for complementary and alternative treatment (p.

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Massage Therapy Research Paper

...physical signs. Stress will cause headaches, irritability, high blood pressure, insomnia, anxiety, and much more. One of the best ways to combat these ailments is to have regular work done to your body to help you stay calm and learn to distress. There are several ways to do this. You can simply go for walks, work out, take a hot shower, or you can have massage or polarity therapy. You will want to choose the best method for you. Massage Therapy For The Soul One of the best ways to help your body combat stress and stay healthy is through massage. This type of bodywork offers you many types of benefits. The sense of touch offers an emotional calming that helps the body to relax. This lowers blood pressure and helps to relax muscles. A therapist will massage the muscles vigorously to help blood flow and to release toxins from the tissues. These toxins can now easily exit the body, allowing it to be healthier. When our bodies feel better physically, we will feel better spiritually and emotionally. Our attitude improves and we are less irritable. Massage helps you reach a better place both physically and mentally....

Words: 501 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Massage Therapy Research Paper

...An extensive list of possibilities exists as the cause of common back problems that range from physical injury to a failure to receive sufficient relaxation time. In any of the cases, muscles and connective tissues experience pain and need more than pills to solve the problem. The following are some reasons to consider massage therapy in beautiful Loveland, Colorado. Situated south of Ft. Collins, north of Longmont and west of Greeley, Colorado, Loveland, acknowledged as the Sweetheart City of America, exists 46 miles north of Denver on I-25, take a left turn on U.S. Hwy 34 for the direct route to Rocky Mountain National Park. With over 300 days a year of sunshine, this lovely community offers exceptional weather conditions for any relaxing...

Words: 451 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Cam Therapeutic Modalities Paper

...CAM Therapeutic Modalities Paper In today's world, there are many treatment methods for the different ailments people encounter. Although traditional medical practices are the predominant choice among Americans, many also use complimentary or alternative medicine (CAM) to treat certain conditions. According to NCCAM Clearinghouse (n.d.), CAM is defined as "a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine" (Defining CAM). In this paper alternative, complementary and integrative medicine will be defined and differentiated, and the role of conventional medicine in these medicines will be discussed. There will also be a comparison of the regulations and oversights in conventional and non-conventional medicine in the United States, a review of the CAM philosophy, and a description of the domains of therapies according to the NCCAM website. Finally, a CAM treatment modality within one of the domains will be described and evaluated. Alternative medicine is the use of CAM as a replacement for conventional medicine such as faith healing ("alternative medicine," 2014). Conventional medicine does not play a role in alternative medicine because the conventional methods are discarded for the alternative methods. "An example of an alternative therapy is using a special diet to treat cancer instead of undergoing surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy that has been recommended by a conventional doctor"...

Words: 1355 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Critically Appraised Paper on Carpal Tunnel

...Critically Appraised Paper Activity Analysis Adeline Pierre OTR 625: Advanced Clinical Reasoning Barry University Dr. Beckley August 22, 2010 CRITICALLY APPRAISED PAPER (CAP) WORKSHEET CITATION: Moraska, A., Chandler, C., Edmiston-Schaetzel, A., Franklin, G., Calenda, E., & Enebo, B. (2008). Comparison of a targeted and general massage protocol on strength, function, and symptoms Associated with carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized pilot study. Journal Of Alternative And Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.), 14 (3), 259-267. Retrieved from MEDLINE database. | FOCUSED QUESTION: Can massage therapy be an effective conservative intervention method for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome? | PROBLEM STATEMENT (JUSTIFICATION OF THE NEED FOR THE STUDY): Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most reported nerve compression syndrome. The cause of this syndrome is due to fibrotic tissue build up along with compression in the carpal tunnel. Conservative care is recommended before surgery is recommended. In doing so, this author is investigating the effectiveness of massage therapy for relief of nerve compression to reduce connective tissue fibrosis, edema, or musculoskeletal disturbance. | RESEARCH OBJECTIVE(S): List study objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two distinct massage therapy protocols on strength, function, and symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). | Describe how the research objectives address...

Words: 1469 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Life of Massage

...11/22/2013 Career research #2- Massage Therapist 1.) Massage Therapists 2.) Athletic Trainers, Chiropractors 3.) Nationally, according to ONET, massage therapists are estimated to take home about $35, 970. Based on careerinfonet.com, massage therapists in the state of Oregon take home between $31,700- $84,600. Of course, the wage difference would depend on experience, successfully gaining clients, and promoting well. 4.) Massage therapists typical hours worked can be all over the place. It depends on the environment you work in. The environment can range from personal care services, offices of chiropractors, traveler accommodation, including hotels and motels, and fitness and recreational sports centers. Most massage therapists, especially if they are self-employed, provide their own table or chair, sheets, pillows, body lotions or oils. Based on bls.com, many massage therapists work part time, only about 1 out of 4 worked full time in 2010. So, a massage therapist does not have specific hours and it will vary from week to week. 5.) Benefits will be determined to whether or not you are self-employed or work for a company. If you are self-employed, then you would be taking care of your own medical, dental, vacation, you are your own boss. If you work for a chiropractor’s office, then they may offer benefits and vacation time. 6.) Based on careerinfonet.com, the prompted website from ONET, the trends are in favor for a career in massage therapy. In 2010, nationally...

Words: 2316 - Pages: 10

Free Essay

Non-Pharmacological Therapy in Children

...The Use of Non-Pharmacological Therapy in Children The Use of Non-Pharmacological Therapy in Children Children’s pain is multidimensional with psychological, physiological and behavioural domains, which presents unique challenges in the assessment and evaluation. These challenges require close consideration of the child’s age, prior pain experiences, developmental, cognitive and communication levels. As nurses are responsible in the assessment of children’s pain, it is appropriate to know all methods, and techniques of alleviating this uncomfortable stimuli, thus presenting the clinical question; in children, how can non-pharmacological (complementary/ alternative) methods be more beneficial in pain management compared to non-pharmacological/conventional medicines? The purpose of this paper is to explore how non-pharmacological methods can be useful in reducing pain. The different variations of non-pharmacological interventions, adverse effects of pharmacological medication, economic factors and knowledge deficits related to nurse education of pain management will be discussed below. Non-Pharmacological Techniques Non-pharmacological techniques, or complementary therapies are considered as any intervention used for pain alleviation that are non-analgesics or other kinds of medications and can be used with or without pharmacological aid. To better understand how many of these types of procedures are effective on a cellular level, we must look at “The Gate Control...

Words: 4548 - Pages: 19

Free Essay

Effects of Scar Tissue

...elicits a response urging us to seek medical attention. Of course, many people will turn to traditional medicine for a solution, often receiving medication to cover the pain caused; never correcting the root cause of the pain. As time moves on surgery may be suggested by the traditional practitioner and that solution only affords a few more years before the same symptoms will return or even less time to create a new problem in a surrounding tissue, then the process comes full circle. A reason for the binded, under active, and dysfunctional muscles is the accumulation of scar tissue. By definition scar tissue, or cicatricial tissue, is the dense fibrous tissue forming a matrix, derived directly from granulation tissue. For the purpose of this paper I will use the term scar tissue throughout its length. Scar tissue binds up and ties down tissues that need to move freely. This dense, fibrous tissue affects us all and is an underlying factor in many injuries. As scar tissue builds up, muscles become shorter and weaker, tension on tendons causes tendinosis, nerves can become trapped, and altered movement patterns result causing discomfort often pain. “All these problems can cause reduced range of motion, loss of strength as well as tingling, numbness, and weakness” [1]. Scar tissue forms two different ways: first, if a muscle, tendon, or ligament is torn or crushed, the body creates scar tissue to glue the torn pieces together. This is a necessary part of the healing process. The second...

Words: 1295 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Holistic Health Care

...Business Kneading Choices, LLC, is a wellness studio. The partners, Raven Cailleach and Willow Cailleach, are both professionals in a health/wellness field and they are teaming up to put several health/wellness services under one roof. Kneading Choices will offer holistic skin/personal grooming care services, personal fitness training, nutrition classes and counseling, Yoga/Pilates classes, and therapeutic massage. We feel these are a good combination of services because as a person becomes interested in one aspect of a healthier lifestyle, it naturally leads to interest in other phases, and we feel the components we offer are part of a larger healthy lifestyle continuum. This holistic healing business plan is being used to explore the cost effectiveness of expanding by opening the business in a downtown location. This would make the services more accessible to people who work full time, and also make the office more convenient for clients with medically-ordered massage therapy. Billing insurance companies for medically required services is lucrative, but the nature of the therapy - usually 15 to 30...

Words: 3295 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Manual Therapy Research Paper

...Manual therapy is a term that is not typically used in the language of an average individual, unless your specialty is related to the actual use of manipulation of the body. As you reflect on the word, it only makes sense that the word is fitting to its name. Manual therapy is a specific type of physical therapy that is used with the hands instead of a machine or a device (Daul, 2006). With the use of the hands, therapists can minimize the level of discomfort for those who suffer from chronic pain related issues, such as the back and joints (Daul, 2006). Manual therapy is offered through many forms of services that can be accessed by a client, that is tailored for everyone. Several examples of manual therapy are osteopathic medicine, chiropractor,...

Words: 1348 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

The Art of Distraction

...want to avoid it at all cost. Pain doesn’t feel good. Therefore, if we can avoid it, we will. This desire to avoid pain makes pain control a very big business. Google the word “pain” and you will get a return of about 215 million websites. These websites offer a vast array of pain management options, including a variety of medications, surgeries, medical therapies, complementary therapies, alternative therapies, emotional therapies, products, tools, and more. Notice the next time you watch television or listen to the radio how many advertisements there are for these products. To get some idea of how much money is spent annually on pain control we will look at just a few of these pain management options. Acetaminophen is the pain relieving ingredient found in Tylenol as well as a few other prescription and over-the-counter medications. The sales of this drug in 2009 were 2.6 billion dollars (Aubuchon). More than 400,000 carpal tunnel surgeries are performed each year in the United States. The average cost of just the surgery itself for one of these is $8,185.24 (Sphere 10 Software). Receiving a once a week, thirty minute massage directed at relieving neck pain would cost you in the neighborhood of $1,560 over the course of a year. These are just three ways that we attempt to control the pain that we feel. The amount of money that we pay...

Words: 3442 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Ound, Spirituality and Healing for the Family Experiencing Terminal Cancer: a Case Study of the Application of Mantras

...CALGARY FACULTY OF NURSING SPRING SESSION 2008 NURSING 607.57 ASSIGNMENT # 3 SCHOLARLY PAPER title: sound, spirituality and Healing for the family experiencing terminal cancer: a case study of the application of mantras Submitted by: Rosato, Mr. Giuseppe Date of Submission: July 18th, 2008 Submitted to: Dr. Carole-Lynne Le Navenec sound, spirituality and Healing for the family experiencing terminal cancer: a case study of the application of mantras ABSTRACT Given the growing interest in North America for CAM, complementary and/or alternative medicine (diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine) and holistic healthcare, health care professionals within the regulation imposed by their professional organization, have the ability to expand the realm of conventional medicine (medicine as practiced by holders of M.D. [medical doctor] or D.O. [doctor of osteopathy] degrees and by their allied health professionals, such as physical therapists, psychologists, and registered nurses) to a holistic healthcare system by integrating CAM modalities such as acupressure, guided imagery, humor, massage, meditation, therapeutic touch/healing touch, prayer and arts in general into their profession. This paper explores a CAM and holistic treatment/healing modality, Mantra Therapy, that conforms to three types of CAM as defined by the United States government agency NCCAM...

Words: 5803 - Pages: 24

Free Essay

Business Plan

...Business Plan for a Physical Therapy Clinic Benita Hodgson HCA 311: Health Care Financing & Information Systems Instructor: Garlyn Lewis March 17, 2012 Table of Contents 1) Executive Summary 3 2) Services and Equipment 4 3) Organizational Structure 6 4) Marketing Plan 7 5) Financial Analysis 8 6) Summary 11 Business Plan for a Physical Therapy Clinic Executive Summary Living Well Physical Therapy clinic is a privately owned business with one owner. The owner has a four year degree in healthcare specializing in physical therapy rehabilitation services. The clinic has been in operation for approximately 3 years in a small building located downtown in Fayetteville North Carolina. The business has outgrown the current space and is in need of an upgrade to a bigger building, new equipment, and more therapists...

Words: 1774 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

: Chiropractic, Osteopathy and Physiotherapy: Define, Compare and Contrast

...which comprise the method know as chiropractic. During this period much of that which was necessary to complete the science was worked out. I had discovered that many diseases were associated with derangements of the stomach, kidneys and other organs...” (1) The word chiropractic literally means in Greek, “done by hand” (2) and public interest in the practice was generated when he “cured” a janitor of his deafness by manipulation of his neck. DD Palmer argued that all disease and infirmity is caused by a subluxated bone (95% of the time a spinal vertebrae)which disrupts the flow of innate intelligence. (3) Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession that aims to help people affected by disability, deformity, illness or injury by manual therapy, heat treatment, hydrotherapy, exercise...

Words: 1903 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Research Critique

...Research Critique Part 1 Nurses globally experiences occupational stress. While there are researches that indicate stress can lead to various negative impacts on nurses, more research is needed for the cause of stress and what methods could be used to alleviate the stress. Workplace stress is associated with poor health outcomes of nurses, including physical illness, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. This could lead to staff turnover, significant levels of staff intending to leave, and absenteeism which could hurt the organization (Happell, et al., 2013). The purpose of the research is to determine the cause of stress and methods proposed by or taken by nurses to reduce workplace stress. There are two questions that the study was designed to answer. The two questions were to identify the nurse occupational stressors and the way in which the organization may be able to help reduce nurse occupation-related stress (Happell, et al., 2013). The purpose and research questions were related to the problem. The research was conducted in a way to seek answers to the current occupational stress problem the nurses are facing. The authors gathered information by asking interviewing 38 nurses who worked at different levels of nursing hierarchy and different settings. Different hierarchies were nursing directors, nurse unit managers and registered nurses. Participants were from different area of specialties such as pediatric, surgical, oncology, cardiac, intensive care, and...

Words: 1096 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Hcdc

...2016-2017 | 2017-2018 | BUDGET | STUDENTS & COMMUNITYGOAL 1 – SPIRITUALITY AND VALUES FORMATION GOAL 2H – STUDENT LIFE AND SERVIES GOAL 8 – RESEARCH AND PUBLICATION GOAL 7 – LINKAGES, NETWORKING & PROMOTIONS | Involvement of faculty and students in institutional religious activities * Make the office of OSA fully functional * Revisit and revise the student handbook for Babak * Recognize outstanding student achievement * Solicit scholarship programs from LGUs and other government agencies * School Campaigns * Launch the P 1,000 enrolment fee campaign * Identify schools/companies for students practicum/internship * Strengthen and link the campus clubs and organizations * Join academic Organizations | * Implement the Revised Student Handbook * Develop modules/work texts to supplement deficiency in books in professional subjects * Produce 1 Research study * Solicit scholarship programs from LGUs and other government agencies * Extend main campus scholarships like sports, Deutsche and other grants to Babak * School Campaigns * Identify schools/companies for students practicum/internship * Strengthen and link the campus clubs and organizations * Join academic Organizations | * Develop modules/work texts to supplement deficiency in books in professional subjects * Produce 1 Research study * Solicit scholarship programs from LGUs and other government agencies * Extend main campus scholarships like sports, Deutsche and other...

Words: 1147 - Pages: 5